As my son finishes his first year of “real school”, I’m considering how to make the last day of school special. One of my fondest memories as a child was our last day of school activity…which was, in retrospect no big deal but, it was one to me.
OK-here it is. My dad, who rarely picked us up from school, having a job and all that, picked us up on the last day of school and…took us out for ice cream. It doesn’t sound like much but, it made a big impression on me. So, I would like to start a tradition too.
Obviously there are a few considerations. First, it has to be something that you and your child can do every year. You need to be able to do it if you move, if a specific place you go is torn down or bulldozed to make way for yet another housing development or if your child’s tastes radically change…which they probably will. Second, it has to be something you like to do too since at least once or twice during the teenage years you’ll have to drag your child there.
So, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Go out for ice cream or frozen yogurt or, if you often go out for ice cream, splurge and go out for a sundae
Have an after school picnic on the school ground or at a favorite park or take your child out to lunch at a favorite place.
Take a photo in front of the classroom – make a sign with your child’s name and the year for him or her to hold or make a video.
Drive to the beach – if one is handy or to the pool – jump in!
Make a sign for the house that says, “Welcome home (1st,2nd, etc grader) – use the grade he or she will be entering in the fall
Go to a movie – my husband and I discussed this but, since we’ve actually never taken my child to a movie since I can’t stand most movies made after 1975…this could be tricky for us.
Stay up late and go for a nighttime family walk
Throw a party, invite the neighborhood
Go ice skating or bowling or play miniature golf
Go on a family hike
Go to an amusement park
Give your child a card or make one to celebrate the special day
Have a ceremony. Read a poem or paragraph that celebrates your child growing older…try not to cry
Those are my ideas…what are yours?
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Posted by MC Milker